Could the script have been written any better? To close out Wimbledon’s gentleman’s draw, it’ll be Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic for a second straight year. Last season, Alcaraz topped Djokovic in a thrilling five-set match for his first title at the All-England Club, and this year he heads into the final in London looking for a French Open-Wimbledon double. In the last 44 years, that feat has only been accomplished by Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the men’s game.
Djokovic, on the other hand, is looking for an astounding bit of history. A win would mean a 25th career Grand Slam title, breaking a tie with Margaret Court for the most singles Grand Slams of any player ever. This is his first major final since reaching 24 with a win at the 2023 US Open.
The stakes are extremely high as the future and past at the top of the men’s game face off in what should be another epic match. Djokovic leads the all-time series 3-2, with Djokovic having won both of the past two matches, on hard court. Their only prior meeting on grass was Alcaraz’s win in last year’s Wimbledon final.
3. Novak Djokovic vs. 2. Carlos Alcaraz
Time: 9 a.m. ET
Location: All-England Club, Centre Court | London
Channel: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+, FuboTV
Stay with Yahoo Sports for complete live coverage of the 2024 Wimbledon gentleman’s singles final.
After that lengthy 14-minute first game, Alcaraz cruised through the rest of the set, winning 6-2, and now has a 1-0 lead.
This is familiar territory for Djokovic. He’s done this before, in quarterfinals and semifinals and finals. He did it against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 French Open final.
But maybe there’s more to this poor Djokovic start than meets the eye. Alcaraz isn’t usually such a fast starter, and seeing him jump on Djokovic so easily could mean that Djokovic truly is off his game today, and isn’t just playing possum.
Celebrity Update: We’ve got a Benedict Cumberbatch sighting. He’s wearing normal clothes and unfortunately isn’t dressed as Dr. Strange. That would certainly shake up the Wimbledon dress code.
We’re in the endgame now. pic.twitter.com/LcjZGOGnpC
US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 14, 2024
Djokovic is on the board, but he’s not playing like Djokovic yet. He’s down two breaks at 4-1 and is looking pretty tight while Alcaraz has been punishing, playing loose and free and with minimal frustration.
But we’ve seen this from Djokovic many, many times before. He’ll put up a bad first set and then come roaring back in the second or even third set, looking like the king in his prime who was just slightly late to the party.
Alcaraz has the lead, but there’s a lot of match left. Anything could happen.
After a first game that lasted the better part of 15 minutes, Carlos Alcaraz broke Novak Djokovic to take a 1-0 lead in the first set.
14 minutes. 7 deuces. 5 break points.And that was just the first game.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DzktxLtm1R
Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2024
The first game of the entire match which could last up to five sets and an undetermined amount of time has lasted nearly 10 minutes. Strap in and get your snacks and Wimbledon drink of choice, because this could be one for the ages.
The finale.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/vcrTbIWpz0
Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2024
Good morning fellow tennis fans, it’s time for the ultimate match of Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic. Who you got?